Mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal including a case; a metal plate mounted in the case; a first radiator comprising one end connected to the metal plate via a connection portion and extended from the connection portion in a first direction, the first radiator being spaced apart a preset distance from the metal plate; a first feeder connected to the first radiator and supplying power; an additional radiator; and a first switch configured to be switched on and off to connect and disconnect the additional radiator and the first feeder to and from each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/937,621, filed on Nov. 10, 2015, which claims priority to KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2015-0056845 filed on Apr. 22, 2015 and No.10-2015-0093901 filed on Jul. 1, 2015 in Korea, the entire contents ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mobile terminalincluding an antenna for transmitting and receiving a wirelesscommunication signal.

Background of the Disclosure

Terminals may be generally classified as mobile/portable terminals orstationary terminals according to their mobility. Mobile terminals mayalso be classified as handheld terminals or vehicle mounted terminalsaccording to whether or not a user can directly carry the terminal.

Mobile terminals have become increasingly more functional. Examples ofsuch functions include data and voice communications, capturing imagesand video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files via aspeaker system, and displaying images and video on a display. Somemobile terminals include additional functionality which supports gameplaying, while other terminals are configured as multimedia players.More recently, mobile terminals have been configured to receivebroadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing of content such asvideos and television programs.

As such functions become more diversified, the mobile terminal cansupport more complicated functions such as capturing images or video,reproducing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcastsignals, and the like. By comprehensively and collectively implementingsuch functions, the mobile terminal may be embodied in the form of amultimedia player or device.

A conventional mobile communication system usually uses a singleantenna. However, as the functions of the mobile communication systembecome more diversified, types of such antennas become more diversifiedas well. A plurality of antennas may be mounted in such a mobilecommunication system for various forms of wireless communication such asLTE communication for calling and data communication, short rangewireless communication including, 2G and 3G communication, satellitecommunications, short range wireless communications including WIFI, NFCand Bluetooth, and DMB.

Such the antennas transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves maybe interfered in each other. Especially, the metallic material providedinside or outside the mobile terminal could affect signals and then itis quite important to design the antenna capable of minimizing theinterference of the neighboring metallic material or antennas.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile terminalwhich may prevent the problems mentioned above. Embodiments of thepresent disclosure may provide a mobile terminal including a case havinga display unit coupled to a front side; a first antenna mounted in thecase and comprising a first slot extended in a first direction andhaving a closed end and an open end; a second antenna mounted in thecase and comprising a second slot extended in a second directionopposite to the extended direction of the first slot and comprising aclosed end and an open end; a power supply unit mounted in the case; afirst feeder supplying the power of the power supply unit to the firstantenna; and a second feeder supplying the power of the power supplyunit to the second antenna.

The first slot may be longer than the second slot.

The first slot may resonate with a first frequency having a wavelengthcorresponding to a quadruple of the length of the slot. The second slotmay resonate with a second frequency having a wavelength correspondingto a quadruple of the length of the second slot.

The mobile terminal may further include a metal plate mounted in thecase; a connection unit coupled to one side of the metal plate; a firstconductive strip extended from the first connection unit in a firstdirection in a manner of being separated from the metal plate with aprescribed space; a second conductive strip extended from the connectionunit in a direction opposite to the first conductive strip andpositioned in a manner of being separated from the metal plate with aprescribed space, wherein the first slot is formed by the firstconductive strip, the connection unit and the metal plate, and thesecond slot is formed by the second conductive strip, the connectionunit and the metal plate.

The metal plate is provided in a rear surface of the display unit and itconfigurates a predetermined portion of a middle frame for supportingthe display unit. The middle frame may further include an injection moldintegrally formed with circumferences of the metal plate, the firstconductive strip and the second conductive strip, in the manner ofinsert-molding.

The mobile terminal may further include a main board provided in a rearsurface of the metal plate; and an external terminal connection unitcoupled to a rear surface of the main board, wherein at least one of thefirst and second conductive strips is provided in a direction to therear surface of the external terminal connection unit.

The first conductive strip and the second conductive strip may use themetallic deco exposed to the case of the mobile terminal. The firstconductive strip and the second conductive strip are strip substrateshaving a metallic material. The connection unit may include a screwconnecting the strip substrates and the metal frame to each other.

The mobile terminal may further include a stub connectedly extended fromat least one of the other ends of the first and second conductivestrips.

The stub may be arranged on a plane different from the first conductivestrip or the second conductive strip.

The case may include a front case covering the front surface; and a rearcover covering the rear surface, and the stub is formed in a rearsurface of the rear case and connected to at least one of the first andsecond conductive strips through the rear case.

The first conductive strip and the second conductive strip may beprovided in an upper or lower portion of the case, and the stub may bevertically extended along a lateral surface of the case.

The stub may be spaced apart a preset distance from the metal plate. Thefirst slot and the second slot may be extended corresponding to thelength of the stub.

The first feeder may include a delay line extended along the firstconductive strip, and the first feeder is connected to the firstconductive strip at one end of the delay line.

The mobile terminal may further include a switch disposed between thedelay line and the first conductive strip and selectively connecting thefirst conductive strip to a plurality of matching circuits.

The mobile terminal may further include a switch selectively connectingthe first conductive strip to a plurality of matching circuits, separatefrom the first feeder.

The first antenna may resonate a third frequency having a wavelengthcorresponding to a quadruple of the length of the delay line.

The mobile terminal may further include a first branch patterncomprising one end connected to the first conductive strip and the otherend extended in a direction to the end extended in a second direction;and a second branch pattern provided adjacent to the first antenna andcomprising one end connected to the power supply unit and the other endextended in a first direction, wherein the other end of the first branchpattern and the other end of the second branch pattern are arrangednearby, facing each other.

The first antenna may resonate with a fourth frequency having awavelength corresponding to a quadruple of the length of the firstbranch pattern or a fifth frequency having a wavelength corresponding toa quadruple of the length of the second branch pattern.

The first feeder may be connected to the first strip and the secondfeeder may be connected to the second strip.

The mobile terminal may further include a third branch pattern extendedfrom the second conductive strip; and a fourth branch pattern providedadjacent to the second antenna and comprising one end connected to thepower supply unit.

Embodiment of the present disclosure may also provide a mobile terminalincluding a case; a metal plate mounted in the case; a first radiatorcomprising one end connected to the metal plate via a connection unitand extended from the connection unit in a first direction, spaced aparta preset distance from the metal plate; a first feeder connected to thefirst radiator and supplying power; an additional radiator; and a firstswitch switched on and off to connect the additional radiator and thefirst feeder to each other.

The additional radiator may include one end having a first branchpattern connected to the first radiator.

The first switch may have a variable position connected to the firstbranch pattern.

A signal may resonate with a first frequency having a wavelengthcorresponding to a quadruple of the length of the connection unit andthe first feeder, when the first switch is switched off. The connectionunit, the first feeder, and the first branch pattern may form a loop andelectric currents flow along the loop formed, when the first switch isswitched on, and a signal may resonates with a second frequency having awavelength corresponding to a double of the length of the loop.

The mobile terminal may further include a second branch pattern extendedin a first direction and comprising one end connected to the powersupply unit, wherein the first branch pattern is extended in a seconddirection opposite to the first direction and the other end of the firstbranch pattern and the other end of the second branch pattern arearranged nearby, facing each other.

The first radiator may resonate with a first frequency having awavelength corresponding to a quadruple of the length of the firstbranch pattern or a fourth frequency having a wavelength correspondingto a quadruple of the length of the second branch pattern.

The additional radiator may include a third radiator provided in aposition different from the first radiator, spaced apart a presetdistance from the metal plate, and comprising one end connected to themetal plate; and a controller switching on the first switch to beconnected to the third radiator, when signal transmitting/receivingefficiency via the first radiator is a reference value or less.

The mobile terminal may further include a second switch switching on andoff the connection between the first feeder and the first radiator,wherein the controller switches on the second switch when the firstswitch is switched off, and the controller switches off the secondswitch when the first switch is switched on.

The first radiator may be a lateral side metal case provided in alateral surface of the case, and

The third radiator is provided in a front surface of the case or in thecase, and the controller may switch on the first switch when a usertouches the lateral side metal case.

The mobile terminal may further include a second radiator extended in adirection opposite to the first radiator comprising one end connected tothe connection unit; and a second feeder supplying power to the secondradiator.

The second radiator may be shorter than the first radiator.

The first feeder may include a power supply line connected to a powersupply source; a delay line extended in a direction equal to theextension direction of the first radiator; and a supply line connectedto the first radiator.

The first switch may be connected to the delay line.

The first radiator may resonate with a third frequency having awavelength corresponding to a quadruple of the delay line.

The mobile terminal may further include an injection mold filled betweenthe metal plate and the first radiator.

The first radiator may be arranged an outer surface of the mobileterminal;

A predetermined portion of the first radiator may be arranged in themobile terminal and another predetermined portion may be exposed outsidethe mobile terminal.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by illustration only, since various changes and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings,which are given by illustration only, and thus are not limitative of thepresent invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram to describe a mobile terminal in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual diagrams of one example of the mobileterminal, viewed from different sides;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating one example ofthe mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram to describe a slot antenna of the mobile terminal inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a schematic structure of anantennal provided in the mobile terminal in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating one example of a statewhere a middle frame and a main board are coupled to each other in themobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a sectional diagram illustrating one example of the mobileterminal in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the antennaprovided in the mobile terminal in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram illustrating a further example of theantenna provided in the mobile terminal in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a plane view illustrating one example of a first antennaprovided in the mobile terminal in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the first antennashown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional diagram of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating efficiency of the antenna shown in FIG.9;

FIG. 13 is a plane view illustrating a further example of the firstantenna provided in the mobile terminal in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 is a sectional diagram of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating efficiency of the antenna shown in FIG.13;

FIG. 16 is a plane view illustrating a still further example of thefirst antenna provided in the mobile terminal in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a sectional diagram of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating signal strengths in a low frequencyband;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating flow of currents in the antenna shownin FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the embodimentshown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a plane view illustrating one example of a second antennaprovided in the mobile terminal in accordance with the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 22 is a graph illustrating efficiency of the antenna shown in FIG.21.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Description will now be given in detail according to exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to thedrawings, the same or equivalent components may be provided with thesame reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. Ingeneral, a suffix such as “module” and “unit” may be used to refer toelements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intendedto facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself isnot intended to give any special meaning or function. In the presentdisclosure, that which is well-known to one of ordinary skill in therelevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. Theaccompanying drawings are used to help easily understand varioustechnical features and it should be understood that the embodimentspresented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such,the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations,equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularlyset out in the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may beused herein to describe various elements, these elements should not belimited by these terms. These terms are generally only used todistinguish one element from another.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected with” another element, the element can be directly connectedwith the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connectedwith” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless itrepresents a definitely different meaning from the context. Terms suchas “include” or “has” are used herein and should be understood that theyare intended to indicate an existence of several components, functionsor steps, disclosed in the specification, and it is also understood thatgreater or fewer components, functions, or steps may likewise beutilized.

Mobile terminals presented herein may be implemented using a variety ofdifferent types of terminals. Examples of such terminals includecellular phones, smart phones, user equipment, laptop computers, digitalbroadcast terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portablemultimedia players (PMPs), navigators, portable computers (PCs), slatePCs, tablet PCs, ultra books, wearable devices (for example, smartwatches, smart glasses, head mounted displays (HMDs)), and the like.

By way of non-limiting example only, further description will be madewith reference to particular types of mobile terminals. However, suchteachings apply equally to other types of terminals, such as those typesnoted above. In addition, these teachings may also be applied tostationary terminals such as digital TV, desktop computers, and thelike.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A-1C, where FIG. 1A is a block diagramof a mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure, andFIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual views of one example of the mobileterminal, viewed from different directions.

The mobile terminal 100 is shown having components such as a wirelesscommunication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensing unit 140, an outputunit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, a controller 180, and apower supply unit 190. It is understood that implementing all of theillustrated components is not a requirement, and that greater or fewercomponents may alternatively be implemented.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, the mobile terminal 100 is shown havingwireless communication unit 110 configured with several commonlyimplemented components. For instance, the wireless communication unit110 typically includes one or more components which permit wirelesscommunication between the mobile terminal 100 and a wirelesscommunication system or network within which the mobile terminal islocated.

The wireless communication unit 110 typically includes one or moremodules which permit communications such as wireless communicationsbetween the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system,communications between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobileterminal, communications between the mobile terminal 100 and an externalserver. Further, the wireless communication unit 110 typically includesone or more modules which connect the mobile terminal 100 to one or morenetworks.

To facilitate such communications, the wireless communication unit 110includes one or more of a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobilecommunication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-rangecommunication module 114, and a location information module 115.

The input unit 120 includes a camera 121 for obtaining images or video,a microphone 122, which is one type of audio input device for inputtingan audio signal, and a user input unit 123 (for example, a touch key, apush key, a mechanical key, a soft key, and the like) for allowing auser to input information. Data (for example, audio, video, image, andthe like) is obtained by the input unit 120 and may be analyzed andprocessed by controller 180 according to device parameters, usercommands, and combinations thereof.

The sensing unit 140 is typically implemented using one or more sensorsconfigured to sense internal information of the mobile terminal, thesurrounding environment of the mobile terminal, user information, andthe like. For example, in FIG. 1A, the sensing unit 140 is shown havinga proximity sensor 141 and an illumination sensor 142.

If desired, the sensing unit 140 may alternatively or additionallyinclude other types of sensors or devices, such as a touch sensor, anacceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor,a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scansensor, a ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (for example, camera121), a microphone 122, a battery gauge, an environment sensor (forexample, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detectionsensor, a thermal sensor, and a gas sensor, among others), and achemical sensor (for example, an electronic nose, a health care sensor,a biometric sensor, and the like), to name a few. The mobile terminal100 may be configured to utilize information obtained from sensing unit140, and in particular, information obtained from one or more sensors ofthe sensing unit 140, and combinations thereof.

The output unit 150 is typically configured to output various types ofinformation, such as audio, video, tactile output, and the like. Theoutput unit 150 is shown having a display unit 151, an audio outputmodule 152, a haptic module 153, and an optical output module 154. Thedisplay unit 151 may have an inter-layered structure or an integratedstructure with a touch sensor in order to facilitate a touch screen. Thetouch screen may provide an output interface between the mobile terminal100 and a user, as well as function as the user input unit 123 whichprovides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and theuser.

The interface unit 160 serves as an interface with various types ofexternal devices that can be coupled to the mobile terminal 100. Theinterface unit 160, for example, may include any of wired or wirelessports, external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memorycard ports, ports for connecting a device having an identificationmodule, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports,and the like. In some cases, the mobile terminal 100 may performassorted control functions associated with a connected external device,in response to the external device being connected to the interface unit160.

The memory 170 is typically implemented to store data to support variousfunctions or features of the mobile terminal 100. For instance, thememory 170 may be configured to store application programs executed inthe mobile terminal 100, data or instructions for operations of themobile terminal 100, and the like. Some of these application programsmay be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication.Other application programs may be installed within the mobile terminal100 at time of manufacturing or shipping, which is typically the casefor basic functions of the mobile terminal 100 (for example, receiving acall, placing a call, receiving a message, sending a message, and thelike). It is common for application programs to be stored in the memory170, installed in the mobile terminal 100, and executed by thecontroller 180 to perform an operation (or function) for the mobileterminal 100.

The controller 180 typically functions to control overall operation ofthe mobile terminal 100, in addition to the operations associated withthe application programs.

The controller 180 may provide or process information or functionsappropriate for a user by processing signals, data, information and thelike, which are input or output by the various components depicted inFIG. 1A, or activating application programs stored in the memory 170. Asone example, the controller 180 controls some or all of the componentsillustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C according to the execution of an applicationprogram that have been stored in the memory 170.

The power supply unit 190 can be configured to receive external power orprovide internal power in order to supply appropriate power required foroperating elements and components included in the mobile terminal 100.The power supply unit 190 may include a battery, and the battery may beconfigured to be embedded in the terminal body, or configured to bedetachable from the terminal body.

Referring now to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the mobile terminal 100 is describedwith reference to a bar-type terminal body. However, the mobile terminal100 may alternatively be implemented in any of a variety of differentconfigurations. Examples of such configurations include watch-type,clip-type, glasses-type, or as a folder-type, flip-type, slide-type,swing-type, and swivel-type in which two and more bodies are combinedwith each other in a relatively movable manner, and combinationsthereof. Discussion herein will often relate to a particular type ofmobile terminal (for example, bar-type, watch-type, glasses-type, andthe like). However, such teachings with regard to a particular type ofmobile terminal will generally apply to other types of mobile terminalsas well.

The mobile terminal 100 will generally include a case (for example,frame, housing, cover, and the like) forming the appearance of theterminal. In this embodiment, the case is formed using a front case 101and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are incorporated intoa space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. Atleast one middle case may be additionally positioned between the frontcase 101 and the rear case 102.

The display unit 151 is shown located on the front side of the terminalbody to output information. As illustrated, a window 151 a of thedisplay unit 151 may be mounted to the front case 101 to form the frontsurface of the terminal body together with the front case 101.

In some embodiments, electronic components may also be mounted to therear case 102. Examples of such electronic components include adetachable battery 191, an identification module, a memory card, and thelike. Rear cover 103 is shown covering the electronic components, andthis cover may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102. Therefore,when the rear cover 103 is detached from the rear case 102, theelectronic components mounted to the rear case 102 are externallyexposed.

As illustrated, when the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102,a side surface of the rear case 102 is partially exposed. In some cases,upon the coupling, the rear case 102 may also be completely shielded bythe rear cover 103. In some embodiments, the rear cover 103 may includean opening for externally exposing a camera 121 b or an audio outputmodule 152 b.

The cases 101, 102, 103 may be formed by injection-molding syntheticresin or may be formed of a metal, for example, stainless steel (STS),aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or the like.

As an alternative to the example in which the plurality of cases form aninner space for accommodating components, the mobile terminal 100 may beconfigured such that one case forms the inner space. In this example, amobile terminal 100 having a uni-body is formed in such a manner thatsynthetic resin or metal extends from a side surface to a rear surface.

If desired, the mobile terminal 100 may include a waterproofing unit(not shown) for preventing introduction of water into the terminal body.For example, the waterproofing unit may include a waterproofing memberwhich is located between the window 151 a and the front case 101,between the front case 101 and the rear case 102, or between the rearcase 102 and the rear cover 103, to hermetically seal an inner spacewhen those cases are coupled.

FIGS. 1B and 1C depict certain components as arranged on the mobileterminal. It is to be understood that alternative arrangements arepossible and within the teachings of the instant disclosure. Somecomponents may be omitted or rearranged. For example, the firstmanipulation unit 123 a may be located on another surface of theterminal body, and the second audio output module 152 b may be locatedon the side surface of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 is generally configured to output informationprocessed in the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 151may display execution screen information of an application programexecuting at the mobile terminal 100 or user interface (UI) and graphicuser interface (GUI) information in response to the execution screeninformation.

The display unit 151 outputs information processed in the mobileterminal 100. The display unit 151 may be implemented using one or moresuitable display devices. Examples of such suitable display devicesinclude a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquidcrystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), aflexible display, a 3-dimensional (3D) display, an e-ink display, andcombinations thereof.

The display unit 151 may be implemented using two display devices, whichcan implement the same or different display technology. For instance, aplurality of the display units 151 may be arranged on one side, eitherspaced apart from each other, or these devices may be integrated, orthese devices may be arranged on different surfaces.

The display unit 151 may also include a touch sensor which senses atouch input received at the display unit. When a touch is input to thedisplay unit 151, the touch sensor may be configured to sense this touchand the controller 180, for example, may generate a control command orother signal corresponding to the touch. The content which is input inthe touching manner may be a text or numerical value, or a menu itemwhich can be indicated or designated in various modes.

The touch sensor may be configured in a form of a film having a touchpattern, disposed between the window 151 a and a display on a rearsurface of the window 151 a, or a metal wire which is patterned directlyon the rear surface of the window 151 a. Alternatively, the touch sensormay be integrally formed with the display. For example, the touch sensormay be disposed on a substrate of the display or within the display.

The display unit 151 may also form a touch screen together with thetouch sensor. Here, the touch screen may serve as the user input unit123 (see FIG. 1A). Therefore, the touch screen may replace at least someof the functions of the first manipulation unit 123 a.

The first audio output module 152 a may be implemented in the form of aspeaker to output voice audio, alarm sounds, multimedia audioreproduction, and the like.

The window 151 a of the display unit 151 will typically include anaperture to permit audio generated by the first audio output module 152a to pass. One alternative is to allow audio to be released along anassembly gap between the structural bodies (for example, a gap betweenthe window 151 a and the front case 101). In this case, a holeindependently formed to output audio sounds may not be seen or isotherwise hidden in terms of appearance, thereby further simplifying theappearance and manufacturing of the mobile terminal 100.

The optical output module 154 can be configured to output light forindicating an event generation. Examples of such events include amessage reception, a call signal reception, a missed call, an alarm, aschedule notice, an email reception, information reception through anapplication, and the like. When a user has checked a generated event,the controller can control the optical output unit 154 to stop the lightoutput.

The first camera 121 a can process image frames such as still or movingimages obtained by the image sensor in a capture mode or a video callmode. The processed image frames can then be displayed on the displayunit 151 or stored in the memory 170.

The first and second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b are examples ofthe user input unit 123, which may be manipulated by a user to provideinput to the mobile terminal 100. The first and second manipulationunits 123 a and 123 b may also be commonly referred to as a manipulatingportion, and may employ any tactile method that allows the user toperform manipulation such as touch, push, scroll, or the like. The firstand second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b may also employ anynon-tactile method that allows the user to perform manipulation such asproximity touch, hovering, or the like.

FIG. 1B illustrates the first manipulation unit 123 a as a touch key,but possible alternatives include a mechanical key, a push key, a touchkey, and combinations thereof.

Input received at the first and second manipulation units 123 a and 123b may be used in various ways. For example, the first manipulation unit123 a may be used by the user to provide an input to a menu, home key,cancel, search, or the like, and the second manipulation unit 123 b maybe used by the user to provide an input to control a volume level beingoutput from the first or second audio output modules 152 a or 152 b, toswitch to a touch recognition mode of the display unit 151, or the like.

As another example of the user input unit 123, a rear input unit (notshown) may be located on the rear surface of the terminal body. The rearinput unit can be manipulated by a user to provide input to the mobileterminal 100. The input may be used in a variety of different ways. Forexample, the rear input unit may be used by the user to provide an inputfor power on/off, start, end, scroll, control volume level being outputfrom the first or second audio output modules 152 a or 152 b, switch toa touch recognition mode of the display unit 151, and the like. The rearinput unit may be configured to permit touch input, a push input, orcombinations thereof.

The rear input unit may be located to overlap the display unit 151 ofthe front side in a thickness direction of the terminal body. As oneexample, the rear input unit may be located on an upper end portion ofthe rear side of the terminal body such that a user can easilymanipulate it using a forefinger when the user grabs the terminal bodywith one hand. Alternatively, the rear input unit can be positioned atmost any location of the rear side of the terminal body.

Embodiments that include the rear input unit may implement some or allof the functionality of the first manipulation unit 123 a in the rearinput unit. As such, in situations where the first manipulation unit 123a is omitted from the front side, the display unit 151 can have a largerscreen.

As a further alternative, the mobile terminal 100 may include a fingerscan sensor which scans a user's fingerprint. The controller 180 canthen use fingerprint information sensed by the finger scan sensor aspart of an authentication procedure. The finger scan sensor may also beinstalled in the display unit 151 or implemented in the user input unit123.

The microphone 122 is shown located at an end of the mobile terminal100, but other locations are possible. If desired, multiple microphonesmay be implemented, with such an arrangement permitting the receiving ofstereo sounds.

The interface unit 160 may serve as a path allowing the mobile terminal100 to interface with external devices. For example, the interface unit160 may include one or more of a connection terminal for connecting toanother device (for example, an earphone, an external speaker, or thelike), a port for near field communication (for example, an InfraredData Association (IrDA) port, a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port, andthe like), or a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobileterminal 100. The interface unit 160 may be implemented in the form of asocket for accommodating an external card, such as SubscriberIdentification Module (SIM), User Identity Module (UIM), or a memorycard for information storage.

The second camera 121 b is shown located at the rear side of theterminal body and includes an image capturing direction that issubstantially opposite to the image capturing direction of the firstcamera unit 121 a. If desired, second camera 121 a may alternatively belocated at other locations, or made to be moveable, in order to have adifferent image capturing direction from that which is shown.

The second camera 121 b can include a plurality of lenses arranged alongat least one line. The plurality of lenses may also be arranged in amatrix configuration. The cameras may be referred to as an “arraycamera.” When the second camera 121 b is implemented as an array camera,images may be captured in various manners using the plurality of lensesand images with better qualities.

As shown in FIG. 1C, a flash 124 is shown adjacent to the second camera121 b. When an image of a subject is captured with the camera 121 b, theflash 124 may illuminate the subject.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the second audio output module 152 b can be locatedon the terminal body. The second audio output module 152 b may implementstereophonic sound functions in conjunction with the first audio outputmodule 152 a, and may be also used for implementing a speaker phone modefor call communication.

At least one antenna for wireless communication may be located on theterminal body. The antenna may be installed in the terminal body orformed by the case. For example, an antenna which configures a part ofthe broadcast receiving module 111 may be retractable into the terminalbody. Alternatively, an antenna may be formed using a film attached toan inner surface of the rear cover 103, or a case that includes aconductive material.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100may include a battery 191, which is mounted in the terminal body ordetachably coupled to an outside of the terminal body.

The battery 191 may receive power via a power source cable connected tothe interface unit 160. Also, the battery 191 can be recharged in awireless manner using a wireless charger. Wireless charging may beimplemented by magnetic induction or electromagnetic resonance.

The rear cover 103 is shown coupled to the rear case 102 for shieldingthe battery 191, to prevent separation of the battery 191, and toprotect the battery 191 from an external impact or from foreignmaterial. When the battery 191 is detachable from the terminal body, therear case 103 may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102.

An accessory for protecting an appearance or assisting or extending thefunctions of the mobile terminal 100 can also be provided on the mobileterminal 100. As one example of an accessory, a cover or pouch forcovering or accommodating at least one surface of the mobile terminal100 may be provided. The cover or pouch may cooperate with the displayunit 151 to extend the function of the mobile terminal 100. Anotherexample of the accessory is a touch pen for assisting or extending atouch input to a touch screen

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective diagram for an example of a mobileterminal 100 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2,the mobile terminal 100 includes the display unit 151 and a window 151 asituating at the front side of the display unit 151. Since an edge partof the window 151 a is combined with an edge of the front case 101, itmay be able to fix the display unit 151.

In order to support the display unit 151, install electronic elementsand provide hardness to the mobile terminal 100, a middle frame 105 canbe interposed between the front case 101 and a rear case 102. Thedisplay unit 151 is positioned at the front of the middle frame 105. Acamera 121 a, an audio output module 152 a, a user input unit 131 a andthe like are arranged at an edge of a front side of the middle frame105.

A battery mounting unit on which a main board 185 and a battery aremounted is installed in a rear side of the middle frame 105. An antennafor wireless communication, a USB port 161 for connecting an externaldevice, an interface 160 such as an ear jack 162 and the like can bearranged at the rear side of the middle frame 105.

The middle frame 105 forms a first frame 1051 using such a metallicmaterial as magnesium for hardness and a second frame 1055 is formed ina manner of covering an edge of the first frame 1051 with resins, whichis an electric insulation material, via insert injection. The firstframe 1051 provides hardness to the mobile terminal 100 and functions asa ground in a manner of being connected with such an electronic part asthe main board 185 and an antenna.

Since the second frame 1055 is formed using injection molding, shapedegree of freedom is high compared to the first frame 1051 made of ametal. In case of a member capable of easily forming a bump and notcontacted with the first frame 1051 electrically, the member can beinstalled in the second frame 1055.

A main board 185 and a battery 191 are arranged at the rear side of themiddle frame 105. Since the battery 191 is thicker than any othermember, the main board 185, an interface unit, a card slot in which aUSIM card or a memory card is installed, a camera of a rear side, anaudio output module of the rear side and the like can be arranged in amanner of avoiding a part in which the batter 191 is installed tominimize overlap of the battery 191 and a different member.

In order to electrically connect a part arranged at an upper side with apart arranged at a bottom part on the basis of the battery 191, it maybe able to configure a first main board 185 a arranged at the upperside, a second main board 185 b arranged at the bottom side and aconnection board 185 c connecting the first main board 185 a and thesecond main board 185 b with each other. Since the connection board 185c corresponds to a signal connection path between the two boards and isnot designed to install a different part in the connection board, theconnection board can be made up of a flexible printed circuit board ofwhich bearing power is not strong.

An integrated circuit (IC) for various operations, which includes an AL(application processor) chip driving the mobile terminal 100, isinstalled in the first main board 185 a arranged at the upper part. And,a camera, a rear side input unit and the like can also be arranged atthe first main board. Such an interface as a USB port 161 and an earjack 162, a speaker and the like can be arranged at the bottom part.

Antennas for wireless communication are arranged at an upper part and abottom part of the mobile terminal 100. As a function of the mobileterminal 100 is diversifying, various forms of an antenna can be used.Hence, antennas can be installed in the upper part and the bottom partof the mobile terminal. Since a frequency band transmitted and receivedby each antenna and a scheme of each antenna is different from eachother, each antenna operates independently. Yet, since each antennaemits an electromagnetic wave, there exists a problem of interferenceinterfering with each other.

If interference occurs, a transmission and reception rate of a radiosignal is reduced sharply. Hence, it is preferable to arrange antennasin a manner of being separated from each other. And, since a side of themobile terminal corresponds to a part held by a user when the mobileterminal is in use, a transmission and reception rate of a radio signalmay be reduced by a hand of the user. Hence, antennas can be arranged atthe upper part and the bottom part of the mobile terminal in a manner ofbeing distributed.

An antenna used for the mobile terminal 100 can be variously used for aphone call and data communication. A main antenna configured to performwireless communication with a base station of the mobile terminal 100should be able to perform wireless communication using variouscommunication schemes such as 2G, 3G and LTE of various bands.

The main antenna can be positioned at one side (bottom side in thepresent embodiment) of the mobile terminal 100 and a sub antenna can bepositioned at another side of the mobile terminal 100 to supplement afunction of the main antenna. And, it is necessary to have an antennafor short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth and WIFI and aGPS antenna for communication between a GPS (global positioning system)and a satellite is also installed in the mobile terminal.

Each antenna is different from each other according to a wirelesscommunication scheme. In particular, wireless communication communicatedwith a base station of a communication company, which is in charge ofthe main antenna and the sub antenna, transmits and receives a signalaccording to a regulation different from each other depending on acommunication company or a country. Moreover, one communication companytransmits and receives a signal via various frequency bands. If wirelesscommunication does not work on a specific frequency band according to aregion or a situation, in order to enable the wireless communication tobe performed on a different frequency, a broadband antenna is used toenable a signal to be transmitted and received on a broadband frequency.

Yet, as a size of the mobile terminal 100 has been reduced and adistance between parts has decreased, an impact caused by a part in thevicinity of an antenna increases.

Hence, the mobile terminal according to the present invention intends tominimize an impact from a surrounding device using a slot antenna. Theslot antenna corresponds to an antenna capable of performing wirelesscommunication in a manner that electricity is provided to a conductor inwhich a long and thin opening is formed and a radio wave is emitted fromthe opening by an electric current spread on a surface of the conductor.

A general slot antenna operates as an radiator of a radio wave in amanner that a slot is formed on a wall of a wave guide, a surface of aconductor of a cylinder form or a plane conductor plate and electricityis provided to a part in which the slot is formed to make an electricfield to be formed in the slot. The slot antenna should have a length ofminimum λ/2 of a transmitting and receiving frequency and there is alimit on reducing a slot length. If an open slot antenna of which oneside is opened is used in a manner of improving a closed antenna ofwhich both sides are closed, a slot length (D) becomes a lengthsufficient enough to use by a length of λ/4. By doing so, a size of anantenna slot can be reduced to a half.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a general slot antenna.FIG. 3(a) shows a relation between impedance and an electric current incase that a slot antenna of which one side is opened emits a radio waveof a first frequency band. In this case, a feeder 2 providingelectricity is connected with the slot antenna at a D1 distance from aclosed part 1 a of the slot 1.

A dotted line indicates a size of the impedance and an arrow indicatesan electric current flowing along the slot 1. A length of the slot 1 hasa length corresponding to λ/4 of a center frequency wavelength of afirst frequency band.

A signal is resonating through the case of the mobile terminal and thesignal could have a different permittivity according to the material ofthe case. Accordingly, a guided wavelength is used as a criterion forthe wavelength of the resonance frequency. The guided wavelength refersto the electromagnetic wavelength in a dielectric substance and it canbe gained from a ratio of the wavelength to the permittivity of the air.The permittivity of the case is larger than the permittivity of the airso that the guided wavelength may be smaller than the wavelength of theair.

To receive a signal having a wavelength corresponding to the quadrupleof the slot length in a ¼ wavelength frequency band, impedance matchingis performed and the maximum impedance is gained at an open end 1 b ofthe slot 1.

If impedance of the feeder 2 connected with a power feeding unit 3 isconfigured by a prescribed value (e.g., 50Ω) and a position (D1) of thefeeder 2 connected with the slot 1 is adjusted, it is able to controlthe maximum impedance to be outputted from the end of the slot. This iscalled impedance matching.

If case of performing the impedance matching, a transmission andreception rate of a signal of a specific frequency band is rapidlyenhanced compared to a different frequency band. In this case, aspecific frequency of which a reception rate is high is called aresonant frequency.

FIG. 3(b) shows a relation between impedance and an electric current incase that the slot antenna shown in FIG. 3(a) emits a radio wave in asecond frequency band. In this case, a length of the slot 1 has a lengthcorresponding to λ/2 of a center frequency wavelength of the secondfrequency band. In particular, a wavelength of the second frequency bandcorresponds to a high frequency band (high band) of which the wavelengthis shorter than a wavelength of the first frequency band and the firstfrequency band corresponds to a low frequency band (low band) of which awavelength is relatively long.

Since λ/4 point of a wavelength is positioned at a center part of a slot1 instead of an end of the slot 1, an impedance maximum value is formedat the center part of the slot 1. Hence, about 300Ω impedance appears ata part at which a feeder 211/212/215 is positioned and the impedance isnot matched with impedance of the feeder 211/212/215. Hence, it may havea problem that an antenna reception rate of a high frequency band isdegraded.

For this reason, a slot antenna has been mainly used for processing aradio signal of a single frequency band and it has been difficult toprocess radio signals of a plurality of frequency bands. A mobilecommunication provide a service using frequency bands including 800 MHz,900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz. A frequency band used forproviding a service is little bit different from each other depending ona communication company and a different frequency band can be usedaccording to a country.

In order to provide a mobile terminal capable of being applied tovarious communication companies and the mobile terminal usable inabroad, it is necessary to have an antenna usable for mobilecommunication services provided by various frequency bands. Hence, it isdifficult to apply a slot antenna.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for a schematic configuration of anantenna of a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention. Inorder to solve the aforementioned problem and improve performance of anantenna, an antenna can be configured by two slots 1056/1057transmitting and receiving signals in a manner of dividing the signalsinto a signal of a low frequency bandwidth (low band) and a signal of amiddle frequency bandwidth (Mid band).

Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 shows a metal plate 1051, a first conductivestrip 1052, a second conductive strip 1053, a connection unit 1054, afirst feeder 1065, a second feeder 1066, a first stub 1061 and a secondstub 1062.

A slot antenna according to the present invention consists of a firstantenna 116 including a first slot 1056 formed by a metal plate 1051, aconnection unit 1054 and a first conductive strip 1052 and a secondantenna 117 including a second slot 1057 formed by the metal plate 1051,the connection unit 1054 and a second conductive strip 1053 in a mannerof being surrounded.

Since the first slot 1056 and the second slot 1057 are opened to adirection opposite to each other, respectively, an emitting direction isdifferent from each other and mutual interference is less. If the twoslots are formed in a manner of being different from each other inlength, the two slots can be respectively used for wirelesscommunication of frequencies different from each other. The first slot1056 of a longer length emits a signal of a low frequency bandwidth (lowband) and the second slot 1057 of a shorter length emits a signal of amiddle frequency bandwidth (Mid band).

Since a mobile terminal 100 is restricted in size, a size of aconductive strip 1052 is restricted as well. Hence, since a length ofthe first slot 1056, which is formed by the metal plate 1051, theconnection unit 1054 and the first conductive strip 1052, is restricted,it may further include a first stub 1061 configured to extend the firstslot 1056 to cause resonance with a frequency intended to be emitted bythe first slot 1056.

Similar to the first slot 1056, the second slot 1057 emitting a signalof a high frequency bandwidth can also include a second stub 1062 tosufficiently secure a slot length of a slot antenna causing resonance inthe high frequency bandwidth.

The first stub 1061 and the second stub 1062 are further provided, sothat the first antenna 161 and the second antenna 117 may have thecharacteristics of a slot antenna as well as characteristics of a PIFantenna (Planar Inverted-F antenna).

Even though not integrally formed as one body, the first conductivestrip 1052 and the first stub 1061 are electrically connected and theyform a first radiator for emitting a signal at a low frequency band (orLow band). The second conductive strip 1053 and the second stub 1062form a second radiator for emitting a signal at a middle frequency band(or Mid band).

In the following, the present invention is explained with reference todetail embodiments of FIG. 5 to FIG. 8. FIG. 5 is a perspective diagramfor an example of a state that a middle frame 105 and a main board of amobile terminal 100 are combined with each other according to thepresent invention. In the present embodiment, a metal plate 1051 ispositioned at a rear side of a display unit 151 and may be able to use afirst frame of a middle frame 105 supporting parts installed in thedisplay unit 151 and the mobile terminal 100. Besides the middle frame105, if a case made up of a metallic material is applied, the case maybecome the metal plate 1051.

According to the present embodiment, the first conductive strip 1052 andthe second conductive strip 1053 are integrated with each other on themiddle frame 105. In particular, the first conductive strip 1052 and thesecond conductive strip 1053 are arranged at one end of the metal plate1051 in a manner of being connected with each other side-by-side and itmay be able to include a connection unit 1054 connecting the metal plate1051, the first conductive strip 1052 and the second conductive strip1053 with each other.

If the first conductive strip 1052 and the second conductive strip 1053are connected with the metal plate 1051 via the connection unit 1054only, the connection connected by the connection unit 1054 may bedisconnected. In order to prevent the connection unit from beingdisconnected, the first slot 1056 and the second slot 1057 can be filledwith injected material in case of forming the middle frame 105.

Since the injected material is made of non-conductive material, it isable to prevent the first conductive strip 1052 and the secondconductive strip 1053 from being separated from the metal plate 1051while a function of the slot antenna is maintained.

A main board 185 is mounted on a rear side of the middle frame 105. Asmentioned in the foregoing description, the main board 185 consists of afirst main board 185 a positioned at an upper part of the mobileterminal 100, a second main board 185 b positioned at a bottom part ofthe mobile terminal on the basis of a positon in which a battery 191 isinstalled, and a connection board 185 c positioned between the firstmain board 185 a and the second main board 185 b. FIG. 5 shows thesecond main board 185 b positioned at the bottom part of the mobileterminal.

The second main board 185 b is connected with a power supply unit via afeeder 1065/1066 to receive power and may be able to emit a signal in amanner of making an electric current flow in the antenna. One end of thefirst feeder 1065 supplying power to the first slot 1056 is connected tothe second main board 185 b and another end of the first feeder isconnected to the first conductive strip 1052. One end of the secondfeeder 1066 supplying power to the second slot 1057 is connected to thesecond main board 185 b and another end of the second feeder isconnected to the second conductive strip 1053.

Impedance of supplied power can be controlled by controlling a length ofthe feeder 1065/1066. A signal emitted by the first slot 1056 and asignal emitted by the second slot 1057 can be matched with each other bycontrolling a position to which the conductive strip is connected. Thefeeder 1065/1066 can further include a capacitor to perform impedancematching. As shown in FIG. 5, in order to secure a prescribed length,the feeder 1065/1066 can be arranged in a manner of passing over a USBport 161 or an ear jack 162.

Such an interface as an ear jack 162, a USB port 161 and the like, aspeaker and the like can be positioned at the bottom part of the mobileterminal 100. A signal can be received and transmitted in a manner thatthe ear jack 162 or the USB port 161 is connected with the second mainboard 185 b.

The ear jack 162 includes a hole to which an earphone plug is insertedto transmit an audio signal in order to output sound via such soundequipment as an earphone and a headphone. The ear jack 162 can bepositioned at the upper part or a bottom part of the mobile terminal100. The present embodiment shows that the ear jack is positioned at thebottom part of the mobile terminal.

The USB port 161 is connected with such an external device as acomputer, transmits and receives data in wire, and receives power in amanner of being connected with an external power supply. The USB port161 and the ear jack 162 include a hole to connect with an externaldevice and the hole is formed on a side of a main body. Hence, it isdifficult to make a contiguous member to be positioned at a part atwhich the ear jack 162 or the USB port 161 is positioned. Since the partto which the ear jack 162 or the USB port 161 is positioned correspondsto a path in which power flows or the path in which a signal is moving,the part affects a surrounding electromagnetic field.

Hence, an antenna positioned at the bottom part of the mobile terminal100 is generally positioned at a side of the position at which the USBport 161 or the ear jack 162 is formed. In case of an antenna includinga pattern of being bent multiple times such as a PIFA (planar inverted Fantenna), the antenna is arranged in a manner of being bent in a narrowspace of the left and the right of the USB port 161 or the ear jack 162to avoid the USB port 161 or the ear jack 162.

On the contrary, as mentioned in the foregoing description, unlike adifferent antenna, since a slot antenna is less affected by surrounding,the slot antenna can be arranged in the vicinity of the ear jack 162 andthe USB port 161. Hence, as shown in FIG. 5, the ear jack 162 and theUSB port 161 can be mounted on a rear side of the middle frame 105.

It may be able to form a boss to which a screw is inserted when thefirst conductive strip 1052 and the second conductive strip 1053 arecombined with a case of the mobile terminal 100. If the boss is formedon a part of the metal plate 1051 of the middle frame 105, a mountingspace may be restricted by the boss. Yet, if a position of the boss islocated at an outermost of the mobile terminal 100, utilization of aninternal space can be enhanced. For instance, if the boss is moved to anend part of the mobile terminal, a resonance space of a speaker, whichis positioned at the bottom part of a rear side of the mobile terminal,can be secured.

A stub 1061/1062, which is combined with an end part of the firstconductive strip 1052 and an end part of the second conductive strip1053, is made up of a conductive material and is arranged in a manner ofbeing separated from the metal frame with a prescribed distance. Asshown in FIG. 5, the end part can be extended in a manner of being bentin a vertical direction. The stub 1061/1062 can emit a signal of apreferred wavelength in a manner of actually extending a length of aslot.

The stub 1061/1062 can be installed in the inside of a rear case to makethe conductive strip to be connected with the rear case when the rearcase is combined. In this case, a shape of the stub 1061/1062 is similarto a shape of the rear case.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section diagram of the aforementioned embodiment. Ametal plate 1051 and a conductive strip are installed in a rear side ofa front case with which a display unit 151 is combined. A slot, which isformed between the metal plate 1051 and the conductive strip, iscombined with a middle frame in a manner of injecting an injectedmaterial 1055 into the slot.

A second main board 185 b and a USB port 161 are mounted on a rear sideof the middle frame 105 and a feeder 1065/1066 providing power to aconductive strip is positioned between the conductive strip and thesecond main board 185 b.

A rear case can be combined in a manner of covering a battery 191mounted on the second main board 185 b and a rear side of the middleframe 105. In case of a removable battery 191, the battery 191 ismounted on a rear side of the rear case after the rear case is combinedand a rear cover can be combined with the rear side of the rear case.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for a different example of an antenna of a mobileterminal according to the present invention. A conductive strip and amiddle frame 105 are not integrated with each other and the conductivestrip can be implemented by a strip board 188 including a conductivematerial.

The strip board 188 can be implemented using a hard printed circuitboard or a flexible printed circuit board. In this case, the strip board188 can be positioned at a rear side of the USB port 161 or the ear jack162 in a manner of partly bending the strip board.

Although the strip board 188 is connected with a metallic memberconstructing an exterior of the mobile terminal 100, the strip boarddoes not affect emitting performance of an antenna. Hence, the stripboard has less restriction on forming the exterior of the mobileterminal using the metallic member.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for a further different example of an antenna of amobile terminal according to the present invention. A slot antenna canbe implemented using a metal deco 107 a/107 b constructing a part of acase as a conductive strip. It may be able to use a front side metaldeco constructing a part of front exterior or a metal deco 107 a/107 bpositioned at a side edge shown in FIG. 8.

In case of using a metal deco 107 a/107 b constructing a part of a caseas a conductive strip, the metal deco 107 a/107 b is connected with ametal plate 1051 of the middle frame 105 and receives power in a mannerof being connected with the second main board 185 b.

As shown in FIG. 8, in order to secure a space to which an ear jack 162or a USB port 161 is inserted, the metal deco 107 a/107 b can be dividedinto a first conductive strip 107 a and a second conductive strip 107 b.In this case, each of the first conductive strip 107 a and the secondconductive strip 107 b can be electrically connected with the metalplate 1051.

Since the conductive strip 107 a/107 b is able to be extended to a sideof the mobile terminal 100, unlike what is mentioned earlier in theembodiment, it is able to sufficiently secure a length of a slot. Hence,it is able to implement a slot of a sufficient length without a separatestub.

FIG. 9 is a plane view illustrating one example of a first antenna 116provided in the mobile terminal 100 in accordance with the presentdisclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of thefirst antenna 116 shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a sectional diagram ofFIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating efficiency of the antenna shownin FIG. 9.

The frequency band of the signal transmitted and received by the firstantenna 116 in the embodiment mentioned above is a low frequency band(700 MHz-960 MHz). The frequency band of the signal transmitted andreceived by the second antenna 117 is a middle frequency band (1.7GHz-2.1 GHz). In several countries, a signal at a higher frequency band(2.6 GHz) is used for wireless communication. Accordingly, theconfiguration for transmitting and receiving a signal at a highfrequency band is required.

A first feeder of this embodiment includes a delay line 1065 a extendedin a first direction. The first feeder 1065 of the embodiment mentionedabove (see FIG. 4) is directly connected to the first conductive strip1052. In contrast, the first feeder of this embodiment is connected tothe first conductive strip 1052 at the position closer to the firstdirection than the connection unit of the embodiment mentioned above(see FIG. 4).

FIG. 10 is a diagram to describe an antenna in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned above, referring toFIGS. 3(a) and (b), it is difficult to transmit a high frequency bandsignal, using the slot antenna having the length corresponding to thewavelength of the low frequency.

To generate the resonance effect at the high frequency band as well asthe low frequency band, the first feeder 1065 of this embodiment mayinclude a delay line 1065 a extended to the first conductive strip 1052impedance-matching the low frequency band and extended as far as adistance (d2) in an open direction of the slot (the first direction).The length of the delay line 1065 a is two times or more the highfrequency band wavelength of the signal resonating in the first antenna.

The impedance-matching corresponding to the high frequency band signalmay be performed, using the delay line 1065 a. The length of the delayline 1065 a is adjusted so as to change the high frequency band in whichthe signal can be transmitted and received by the first antenna 116 (orthe signal is resonating in the first antenna 116).

The first antenna 116 of this embodiment may further include two branchpatterns 1063 and 1064 to transmit and receive the high frequency bandsignal. As shown in FIG. 11, one end of a first branch pattern 1063 isconnected to the first conductive strip 1052 and the other end isextended from a different plane from the first conductive strip 1052.One end of a second branch pattern 1064 is connected to the power supplyunit 186 of the main board 185 and the other end is extended from adifferent plane from the first conductive strip 1052.

The first branch pattern 1063 and the second branch pattern 1064 may beprinted in or bonded to the back side of the rear case, so that they maybe electrically apart from the first conductive strip 1052 by the rearcase 102. The end of the first branch pattern 1063 may be connected withthe first conductive strip 1052 via a screw 1052 c penetrating the rearcase 102 or a connection terminal formed in the rear case 102. As shownin FIG. 9, the first branch pattern 1065 may be connected with the firstconductive strip 1052 through a path 1052 c such as the first stub 1061.

Using the first branch pattern 1063 and the second branch pattern 1064,the high frequency band signal may be transmitted and received. When thelength of the pattern is a quarter of the wavelength of the signal totransmit and receive, the signal is resonating in the correspondingfrequency and the pattern may be used as the antenna.

In this instance, the point of the frequency at which the signal isresonating may be dispersed into two points to use a signal in a broadband (2.5 GHz-2.7 GHz). To resonate the signal at the two points, thesecond branch pattern 1064 may form a pattern having a lengthcorresponding to a quarter of the wavelength of the first resonancefrequency to match the first resonance frequency (2.5 GHz in thisembodiment). The first branch pattern 1063 may form a pattern having alength corresponding to a quarter of the wavelength of the secondresonance frequency to match the second resonance frequency (2.7 GHz inthis embodiment). At this time, the length of the first branch pattern1063 and the length of the second branch pattern 1064 may be vice versa.

The first feeder may be extended from the power supply unit 186 in thefirst direction to have the length corresponding to the quarter of thewavelength of the first resonance frequency for the impedance-matchingwith the high frequency band signal.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the first branch pattern 1063 isextended in a second direction (a right direction in the drawing) whichis the reverse of the open direction of the first slot 1056, so that theother end of the first branch pattern 1063 and the other end of thesecond branch pattern 1064 may face each other.

The distance between the other end of the first branch pattern 1063 andthe other end of the second branch pattern 1064 may be 5 mm or less. Thetwo branch patterns 1063 and 1064 are further provided and the signal inthe high frequency band (2.5 GHz-2.7 GHz) is resonating in the firstantenna 116 as shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, a switch 1871 may be further provided andthe switch 1871 may be connected to the first feeder 1065. The switch1871 may be formed in the main board 185 and the first feeder 1065connected to the power supply unit 186 may be connected to the firstconductive strip 1052 via the switch 1871.

The electric currents applied to the first antenna 116 are changedaccording to On/Off of the switch 1871 to match a different frequencyband. Referring to FIG. 12, two graphs are shown in a low frequencyband. The resonance frequencies of the low frequency band are variableaccording to On/Off of the switch 1871.

S21 shown in FIG. 12 is a graph (S21) showing degrees of effect of thefirst antenna 116 and the second antenna 117 one each other, when thetwo antennas are operating simultaneously. The effect is increasing inthe middle frequency band and there is a problem of interference whenthe first antenna 116 and the second antenna 117 are operatingsimultaneously. The structure of the first antenna 116 further includingthe first branch pattern 1063 and the second branch pattern 1064 in theembodiment shown in FIG. 9 may have an advantage that even the highfrequency band signal can be used and a disadvantage of interference inthe middle frequency band which is the resonance frequency band of thesecond antenna 117. Accordingly, the structure needs to be improved tominimize the interference between the first antenna 116 and the secondantenna 117 in the countries not using the high frequency band signals.

FIG. 13 is a plane view illustrating a further example of the firstantenna 116 provided in the mobile terminal in accordance with thepresent disclosure. FIG. 14 is a sectional diagram of FIG. 13. FIG. 15is a graph illustrating efficiency of the antenna shown in FIG. 13.

In this embodiment, the first feeder 1065 arranged across the first slot1056 is extended near the connection unit 1054 in a first directionalong the first conductive strip 1052. One end of the extended firstfeeder 1065 is connected (1052 c) to the first conductive strip 1052. Asshown in FIG. 14, a switch 1872 is connected to the first conductivestrip 1052 at the portion closer to the connection unit 1054 than thefirst feeder 1065.

The first antenna may be provided as a form of a loop antenna shown inFIG. 14 by the first conductive strip 1052 and the first feeder 1065.The loop antenna has directivity to form an electromagnetic field in aspecific direction and it has relatively less effect on peripheralelectronic devices. The first antenna which is such the loop antennareceives less inference from the second antenna 117 and transmits andreceives signals stably.

Different from the embodiment mentioned above, referring to FIG. 9, thefirst antenna may not transmit and receive the high frequency bandsignal in this embodiment but may more stably transmit and receive thelow frequency band signal and the middle frequency band signal inregions not performing communication, using the high frequency bandsignal.

In this embodiment, the first stub 1061 is connected to the first feeder1065 and it directly receives the applied power to transmit and receivethe signal.

Referring to FIG. 15, the graph of S21 showing the inference between thetwo antennas 16 and 117 has a relatively gentle curve. Accordingly, itcan be checked that there is not much interference even when the firstantenna 116 and the second antenna 117 are operating simultaneously.

FIG. 16 is a plane view illustrating a still further example of thefirst antenna 116 provided in the mobile terminal 100 in accordance withthe present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a sectional diagram of FIG. 16.

Using the switch 1871 shown in FIG. 9, the resonance frequency may bechanged from a first frequency (e.g., 700 MHz) to a second frequency(e.g., 900 MHz) and vice versa. However, only a distance between shortpoints in power supply is changed and antenna matching degradation isgenerated disadvantageously.

As shown in FIG. 18(a) which is a graph showing frequencycharacteristics in the impedance matching using the switch 1871 of FIG.9, frequency characteristics are deteriorated when the resonancefrequency is changed from the second frequency to the first frequency(the frequency characteristics are enhanced more as frequency dB isincreased more).

When a switch 1873 connected to a first radiator 1052 to match a signalin the low frequency band with a signal in a different frequency band,resonance characteristics are changed and the performance of thefrequency switching in the low frequency band in this embodiment. Theswitch 1873 of this embodiment changes a connection state between thefirst feeder 1065 and the first radiator 1052 and then changes the typeof the antenna. In a state where the switch 1873 is switched off, thesignal is resonating at a first frequency. In a state where the switch1873 is switched on, the signal is resonating at a second frequency.

The first radiator may include the first conductive strip 1052 and alsothe first stub 1061 in this embodiment. The first branch 1063 isextended from the first radiator 1052. As mentioned above, the firstbranch pattern 1063 is coupled to the delay line in the high frequencyband and configured to improve the frequency characteristics. Inaddition, the first branch pattern 1063 is configured to change the typeof the antenna.

In the state where the switch 1873 is switched off, the first branchpattern 1063 is not connected to the first feeder 1065 and the firstantenna is operating as the slot antenna or PIFA antenna mentionedabove, so that the signal may resonate at the frequency (the firstfrequency) having the wavelength corresponding to the quadruple of thelength of the first radiator 1052 in the first antenna. FIG. 19(a)illustrates flow of currents when the switch 1873 is switched off.Electric currents are flowing along the first radiator 1052 from theconnection unit (the grounded portion).

When the switch 1873 is switched on, the first branch pattern 1063 andthe first feeder 1065 are connected to each other. In case the firstfeeder 1065 includes the delay line, the delay line is connected to thefirst branch pattern 1063 as shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 19(b) illustratescurrent flow when the switch 1873 is switched on. The loop structure isformed from the connection unit (the grounded portion) to the feederthrough the first conductive strip, the first branch pattern 1063, theswitch 1873 and the delay line.

The frequency having the wavelength twice the length of the loop may bea resonance frequency (a second frequency). In other words, when theloop is formed by the switch 1873, the loop antenna becomes longer thanthe PIFA antenna mentioned above. The length of the loop antenna has tobe a half of the wavelength of the resonance frequency so that thesignal may resonate in a substantially shorter frequency than theresonance frequency.

FIG. 18(b) is a graph illustrating signal strength in the structureconnected from the delay line 1065 a to the first conductive strip 1052shown in FIG. 16. High efficiency is shown in 700 MFz and 960 MHz. Theswitch 1873 shown in FIG. 18 may not change a short point of the firstantenna 116 but the length and structure of the first antenna to changethe current flow and the antenna type. Accordingly, the matching isperformed in a frequency band of 700 MHz, without deterioration.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the embodimentshown in FIG. 16. The switch 1873 is switched on and off to selectivelyconnect the first radiator 1052 and a third radiator 1011 with eachother. The first radiator 1052 and the third radiator 1011 are arrangedin different positions, spaced apart a preset distance from each other.When the first radiator 1052 fails to perform the function, the switch1874 is switched on to connect the third radiator 1011 and the firstfeeder 1065 to each other and wireless communication can be performed,using the third radiator 1011.

For example, when the user holds the mobile terminal 100 including anelectric conductor with the first radiator 1052 and the second radiator1053 exposed to a lateral surface of the mobile terminal 100 and thethird radiator 1011 exposed to a front surface of the mobile terminal100, the user's hand touches the first radiator 1052 and the secondradiator 1053 exposed to the lateral surface. Accordingly, the flow ofthe currents flowing in the first antenna is changed and speech qualitycould be deteriorated disadvantageously. In this instance, the switch1874 is connected to the third radiator 1011 exposed to the frontsurface and the radiator of the antenna is then changed.

At this time, an additional switch may be further provided andconfigured to selectively connect the first radiator 1052 and the firstfeeder 1065 to each other. When the third radiator 1011 and the firstfeeder 1065 are connected to each other after the switch 1874 isswitched on, the additional switch is switched off and the connectionbetween the first radiator 1052 and the first feeder 1065 is cut off.Hence, currents are not flowing in the first radiator 1052 and powerconsumption is then decreased.

FIG. 21 is a plane view illustrating one example of a second antenna 117provided in the mobile terminal 100 in accordance with the presentdisclosure. FIG. 22 is a graph illustrating efficiency of the antennashown in FIG. 21.

The second antenna 117 is shorter than the first antenna 116 and used intransmitting and receiving a signal in frequencies near 200 Hz. If thesignal is transmitted and received, only using the second slot 1057,there is only one optimal point of the points (1.9 GHz) shown in thegraph of FIG. 22 and the frequency band located under a horizontaldotted line (i.e., a valid signal strength) is substantially narrow. Touse diversified communication methods, it is necessary to broaden thefrequency band which can be used by the second antenna 117.

One end of a third branch pattern 1068 is connected to the secondconductive strip 1053 of the second antenna 117. The third branchpattern 1068 is extended to be spaced apart a preset distance from thesecond conductive strip 1053 and the metal frame. Such the third branchpattern 1068 may be formed in the rear surface of the rear case and oneend of the third branch pattern 1068 is arranged in the rear case 102via a hole formed in the rear case, to connectedly contact with thesecond conductive strip 1053.

One end 1052 e of a fourth branch pattern 1069 is connected to the mainboard 185 arranged adjacent to the second antenna 117 and the fourthbranch pattern 1069 receives the power from the power supply unitthrough the main board 185. The fourth branch pattern 1069 is spacedapart a preset distance from the second conductive strip 1053 and it maybe also formed in the rear surface of the rear case 102.

The third branch pattern 1068 and the fourth branch pattern 1069 mayhave the lengths corresponding to a quarter of the wavelength of thefrequency band for resonance to change the range of the middle frequencyband, respectively. The length of the third branch pattern 1068 may be aquarter of the wavelength of a first resonance frequency (1.7 GHz inthis embodiment). The length of the fourth branch pattern 1069 may be aquarter of the wavelength of a second resonance frequency (2.1 GHz inthis embodiment).

In this embodiment, the second feeder 1066 extended from the main board185 is not directly connected to the second conductive strip 1053.However, when currents flow in the fourth branch pattern 1069, amagnetic field is formed and the second antenna can transmit and receivea signal.

When the third branch pattern 1068 and the fourth branch pattern 1069are further provided, there may be an effect of the broadened middlefrequency band shown in FIG. 16 and signals in a range of 1700 MHz-2100MHz may be used accordingly.

According to at least one of the embodiments mentioned above, theinterference of the metallic material provided in the mobile terminal100 in the antenna may be minimized and the performance of the antennamay be improved.

Moreover, a metallic material may be used in forming an outer side ofthe mobile terminal and there is little restriction of exterior design.Accordingly, the design quality may be developed. The antenna space isnot restricted by the external terminal connection unit 1054 includingthe ear jack 162 and the USB port 161 and component arrangement freedommay be improved.

The foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to beconsidered as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings canbe readily applied to other types of methods and apparatuses. Thisdescription is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scopeof the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods,and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described hereinmay be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternativeexemplary embodiments. As the present features may be embodied inseveral forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, itshould also be understood that the above-described embodiments are notlimited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unlessotherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within itsscope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes andmodifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, orequivalents of such metes and bounds, are therefore intended to beembraced by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile terminal comprising: a case; a metalplate mounted in the case; a first radiator comprising one end connectedto the metal plate via a connection portion and extended from theconnection portion in a first direction, the first radiator being spacedapart a preset distance from the metal plate; a first feeder connectedto the first radiator and supplying power; an additional radiatorincluding a first branch pattern having one end connected to the firstradiator; and a first switch configured to be switched on and off toconnect and disconnect the additional radiator and the first feeder toand from each other, wherein, when the first switch is switched on, theconnection portion, the first feeder, and the first branch pattern forma loop and electric currents flow along the formed loop, and a signalresonates with a second frequency having a wavelength corresponding to adouble of the length of the loop.
 2. The mobile terminal of claim 1,wherein the first switch has a variable position connected to the firstbranch pattern.
 3. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising asecond branch pattern extended in the first direction, the second branchpattern including one end connected to a power supply, wherein the firstbranch pattern extends in a second direction opposite to the firstdirection and another end of the first branch pattern and another end ofthe second branch pattern are arranged to face each other.
 4. The mobileterminal of claim 3, wherein the first radiator resonates with a firstfrequency having a wavelength corresponding to a quadruple of the lengthof the first branch pattern or a fourth frequency having a wavelengthcorresponding to a quadruple of the length of the second branch pattern.5. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the additional radiatorcomprises a third radiator provided in a position different from thefirst radiator, spaced apart a preset distance from the metal plate, andcomprising one end connected to the metal plate, and wherein the mobileterminal includes a controller configured to switch on the first switchto connect the third radiator to the first feeder when signaltransmitting/receiving efficiency via the first radiator is less than orequal to a reference value.
 6. The mobile terminal of claim 5, furthercomprising a second switch switching on and off the connection betweenthe first feeder and the first radiator, wherein the controller isconfigured to switch on the second switch when the first switch isswitched off and to switch off the second switch when the first switchis switched on.
 7. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the firstradiator is provided in a lateral surface of the case, wherein the thirdradiator is provided in a front surface of the case or in the case, andwherein the controller is configured to switch on the first switch whena user touches the lateral side surface of the case.
 8. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the first feeder comprises: a power supplyline connected to a power supply source; a delay line extended in adirection equal to the extension direction of the first radiator; and asupply line connected to the first radiator, and wherein the firstswitch is connected to the delay line.
 9. The mobile terminal of claim1, wherein, when the first switch is switched off, a signal resonateswith a first frequency having a wavelength corresponding to a quadrupleof a length of the connection portion and the first feeder.
 10. Themobile terminal of claim 1, wherein a first slot antenna having a closedend and an open end is defined by the first radiator, the connectionportion and the metal plate.
 11. The mobile terminal of claim 1, whereina second radiator comprising one end connected to the metal plate viathe connection portion and extended from the connection portion in asecond direction opposite to the first direction, the second radiatorbeing spaced apart a preset distance from the metal plate; and a secondfeeder connected to the second radiator and supplying power, wherein thefirst radiator is longer than the second radiator.
 12. A mobile terminalcomprising: a case; a metal plate mounted in the case; a first radiatorcomprising one end connected to the metal plate via a connection portionand extended from the connection portion in a first direction, the firstradiator being spaced apart a preset distance from the metal plate; afirst feeder connected to the first radiator and supplying power; anadditional radiator including a first branch pattern having one endconnected to the first radiator; a first switch configured to beswitched on and off to connect and disconnect the additional radiatorand the first feeder to and from each other; and a second branch patternextended in the first direction, the second branch pattern including oneend connected to a power supply, wherein the first branch patternextends in a second direction opposite to the first direction andanother end of the first branch pattern and another end of the secondbranch pattern are arranged to face each other.
 13. The mobile terminalof claim 12, wherein the first radiator resonates with a first frequencyhaving a wavelength corresponding to a quadruple of the length of thefirst branch pattern or a fourth frequency having a wavelengthcorresponding to a quadruple of the length of the second branch pattern.